Chapter Thirty-Three: The Ancient Arcanist
Heidean tore open the job change scroll without hesitation.
"Enough with the unnecessary words. I hope you can use this power well and always protect Fenina. Let me help you change your class now. Ah, your level is high enough. After the class change, you can immediately advance—what a lucky fellow."
"Wait, you still have extra free attribute points?" Heidean frowned, then suddenly said, "Put them all into your Agility! I didn't expect it, but you really are well-suited for this profession."
Zhao Nan’s heart pounded wildly. He followed Heidean’s advice and allocated the points to Agility, despite his confusion. After all, since Heidean had brought out the only unique hidden class, there was no reason to doubt him.
A dazzling golden light burst forth from the scroll and, under Heidean’s guidance, merged into Zhao Nan’s body.
“Ding! Player Zhao Nan has successfully changed class to Ancient Arcanist!”
At that moment, a surge of powerful energy erupted within him. Zhao Nan instinctively checked his character attributes and gasped in shock.
His four primary stats had doubled!
Before Zhao Nan could even process this transformation, Heidean brought out another scroll—this one for class advancement, useful for any profession.
“Relax, advancement will take a bit longer.”
Zhao Nan nodded. The advancement scroll transformed into golden light and again fused into his body.
“Ding! Congratulations, player Zhao Nan, profession advanced, now Black Iron Ancient Arcanist! Reward: all attributes +10, base attack +10, base HP +500, base mana +500; received Ancient Arcane Legacy; unlocked Five Elemental Functions.”
“Ding! Congratulations, player Zhao Nan, for completing first class change achievement, earned 200 Reputation.”
“Ding! Congratulations, player Zhao Nan, for completing first profession advancement achievement, earned HP +100.”
“Ding! Congratulations, player Zhao Nan, for becoming the first unique hidden class player, earned 500 Reputation; player Reputation now exceeds 1000! The world Reputation system is now open. Player Zhao Nan awarded one Intermediate Guild Token!”
The barrage of notifications nearly deafened Zhao Nan. He promptly chose to mute the system prompts, as the advancement process continued.
Meanwhile, across the world, the system’s announcement echoed:
“Announcement! Guild system is now active. Players can create their own guilds upon obtaining Guild Tokens from elite monsters and above, reaching level 10, and advancing profession! More guild information, please check your mail.”
In that instant, the world erupted with excitement.
...
Zhao Nan was unaware that his actions had set the world ablaze. He had no time to ponder it, for he was utterly stunned by the formidable abilities of the Ancient Arcanist.
“Ancient Arcanist: In the distant past, mages seized unimaginable powers from the Demon Lord and became arcanists. Ancient Arcanists are masters of elemental forces, able to summon storms and wield powers rivaling the gods.”
That was the brief introduction. Next came the true strength of the Ancient Arcanist: able to learn all magic skills except the Light series, with an innate passive that reduces casting time by 50%!
For example, Zhao Nan held the golden Sigh Staff, which shortens skill cooldown by 2 seconds. The cooldown for Fireball is 3 seconds, and now, with an additional 50% reduction, it drops to just 0.5 seconds. As soon as one Fireball is launched, the next is already ready to fire.
What does this mean? As long as Zhao Nan’s mana keeps pace, he can instantly become a terrifying mobile artillery platform! Even the area attack skill 'Explosive Fireball', after successive cooldown reductions, can now be cast every four seconds!
Moreover, he can learn every magical skill except the Light series. Human mages can only specialize in one of six elements—Light, Darkness, Earth, Water, Fire, or Wind—chosen randomly upon entering the game.
Zhao Nan started as Fire, so he naturally had the Fireball skill. But after class change, he could now learn five elemental series.
However, while this profession is powerful, mastering it would require several times, even ten times, the effort compared to others.
Page 1 of 3
Page 2 of 3
After all, each field demands expertise, and mastering one elemental series is already difficult—let alone five. Some powerful skills are only obtainable by completing special quests or defeating formidable boss monsters. To master all five series would take a lifetime.
Still, this didn’t dampen Zhao Nan’s excitement. Setting aside the challenge of learning skills, the surprises from this class change were more than enough.
Zhao Nan pulled up his character panel; the dazzling attributes nearly blinded him.
Name: Zhao Nan
Class: Ancient Arcanist (Black Iron)
Level: LV10
Constitution: 20
Strength: 19
Spirit: 28
Agility: 32
Health: 2200
Mana: 1000
Status: Good
Attack: 80–82
Defense: Physical Resistance 1200, Magical Resistance: Light 800, Darkness 1500, Fire 1500, Water 1500, Earth 1500, Wind 1500, Mutated Element 800
Critical: 11.27%
Tenacity: 300
Penetration: 200
Evasion: 1000
Accuracy: 800
After professional advancement, his stats now included Attack, Defense, Critical, Tenacity, Penetration, Evasion, and Accuracy.
“...Just judging by the stats, they’re higher than most level-18 professions. With my skills and current equipment... maybe I could solo a level-13—no, level-14 elite monster!”
As a veteran, he quickly assessed his current power. Of course, whether he could truly solo a level-14 elite would have to be tested in practice.
Zhao Nan didn’t even know how he walked out of the advancement chamber, until Fenina threw herself onto him, snapping him back to reality.
“Nan, how did it go? Did you succeed?” Fenina asked eagerly.
Zhao Nan breathed out, smiling. “You’re giving me so many surprises, I’m almost stunned!”
“Hehe. Where to next? Is it my turn to advance?”
“Of course! It wouldn’t be good if only I got stronger.” Zhao Nan hugged Fenina. “Too bad I couldn’t find you a better profession, so you’ll have to settle for advancing to an ordinary Black Iron Swordsman.”
Page 2 of 3
Page 3 of 3
Fenina suddenly grinned and, as if presenting a treasure, pulled a parchment scroll from her bosom. “Father prepared this for me long ago!”
“Sky Sword Saint Class Change Scroll: Unique Special Hidden Profession.”
“...” Zhao Nan was speechless.
Well, he had struggled for years—six in the fantasy instance—to finally earn this opportunity. She, meanwhile, had hers prepared early, ready to unlock as soon as she reached the required level! Is this what happens when you have connections backing you...
Of course, Fenina growing stronger was nothing but beneficial for Zhao Nan.
Fenina’s class change and advancement were completed before midnight. After becoming a Black Iron Sky Sword Saint, aside from her equipment, Fenina absolutely possessed strength rivaling Zhao Nan.
Of course, true combat would depend on many external factors... and given their relationship, they would never resort to a death match to determine superiority.
After his professional advancement, Zhao Nan didn’t rush to level up. He needed to sort through his gains from the past two days and plan his next steps.
After two advancements and deducting his expenses, Zhao Nan still had over a thousand gold coins. He found a larger inn, booked an ultra-luxurious suite, and moved in with Fenina.
Warm light filled the room. Zhao Nan ordered a fruit wine, its taste mellow and fragrant.
Fenina’s race was unknown, but aside from her pupils and golden hair, her face was that of an Eastern beauty. Under the orange lamplight, her golden hair appeared softer.
Perhaps it was the alcohol, but her cheeks were tinged with a delicate blush, making her look as lovely as a blossoming flower.
Zhao Nan gently embraced Fenina, leaning against the headboard. His hands caressed her back, the warmth of his palms soothing her cool skin.
Perhaps knowing what was about to happen, Fenina closed her eyes, her lashes fluttering.
Fenina buried her head in Zhao Nan’s chest, listening to his heartbeat, which quickened slightly.
It was the moment of newfound intimacy.
...
A ray of sunlight slid playfully through the gap in the drawn curtains, dancing on the sheets, rousing Zhao Nan.
Fenina rested on his arm, face tired yet sleeping soundly. Zhao Nan touched his nose; last night, with the help of a little wine, their relationship had crossed the final threshold.
Zhao Nan tapped Fenina’s nose; she wrinkled her nose like a kitten, looking cuter than ever. Zhao Nan smiled gently and raised his left hand.
He had been awakened by a message alert from his bracelet, but who could it be?
He checked, and it was Zhang Li, one of the girls he’d met a few days ago.
^^^^^^^
PS: One more chapter will be posted after midnight. Hope for votes in the new week, and please add to your favorites. Having readers is what fuels my passion for writing.
Page 3 of 3